Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service

Queensland Children’s Hospital

Dietetics and Food Services

Paediatric Nutrition Screening Tool

The Paediatric Nutrition Screening Tool (PNST)
Hospital No:
is the first nutrition screening tool for paediatric
inpatients which is quick, simple and effective. Surname:
The PNST has been validated for use for in paediatric
inpatients in tertiary and regional hospitals. Forename(s):
Sex: Yes No
Male Female
Date completed:
DOB: day - month - - year -
day - month - - year -

Nutrition screening questions

1 Has the child unintentionally lost weight lately? Yes No

2 Has the child had poor weight gain over the last few months? Yes No

3 Has the child been eating/feeding less in the last few weeks? Yes No

4 Is the child obviously underweight? Yes No

If ‘yes’ to two or more of the above: - refer the child for further nutrition assessment (see contact details)
- check if child is known to a dietitian
- measure weight and length/height
- commence food and fluid intake record.

Contact details
Division / service name:

Hospital / health facility:

Phone: Email:

© Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service 2013

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For copyright permissions beyond the scope of this licence contact: Dr Melinda White, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service,
email Melinda.White@health.qld.gov.au, phone 61 7 3068 5970.

Produced by
Dietetics and Food Services e LCCH-DIET@health.qld.gov.au
Queensland Children’s Hospital w www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au
501 Stanley Street, Street
South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Australia